Is it possible to die from holding in a sneeze?

Sneezing is commonly related to health problems such as colds, allergies, flu, among others, and it is thanks to this popular idea that some people consider sneezing to be an act of bad manners or poor hygiene. and, therefore, we mostly tend to repress them or avoid expelling them when we are in public; however, different studies have warned about the risks that this practice could have on our body.

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Sneezing, beyond being a sign of illness , is a reflex that often escapes our control. It is an involuntary action that the body triggers to protect us from greater dangers that can arise when irritants such as dust, pollen, or germs and bacteria enter our nasal passages.

There are some people who once sneeze They often experience aftershocks, which lead to long episodes of successive sneezing, which can be a source of embarrassment or shame, And although trying to stop them sounds like the best idea, different doctors actually point out that this should not be done under any circumstances.

The air expelled from the respiratory tract when sneezing can exceed speeds of up to 70 kilometers per hour and spread microdroplets of saliva up to eight meters away, so it is recommended to have a tissue on hand to cover both mouth and nose when sneezing, or to cover it with your arm.

However, holding back a sneeze that progresses to such a magnitude can cause headache, earache, swelling, bleeding, or dizziness. This is because a high level of pressure is built up, which can cause a blood vessel to burst.

In extreme and rare situations, holding in a sneeze can leave serious injuries on the body and can even be fatal, as documented cases around the world have revealed the risks that range from nosebleeds to problems related to brain aneurysms, tears in the esophagus and pharynx, and collapsed lungs with fatal consequences.

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So, although it may seem unpleasant, sneezing is a natural and healthy evolutionary mechanism that is best allowed to flow while following the appropriate safety, hygiene, and education measures so as not only to avoid spreading viruses and bacteria, but also to avoid inconveniencing anyone around you.

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